Chapter 14 - The House at the River
Sarah wanted to run to Leo’s school, but Ortiz stopped her.“The school is secure,” the detective said. “The photograph was taken before dismissal.”“How do you know?”“Because the custodian recognized the camera angle. He found a memory card in the parking lot.”Maya took Sarah’s arm. “Let Ortiz do her job.”Sarah hated that the advice was correct.At River House, officers found the front rooms empty and the walls stripped of paintings. The estate sat on a hill above the river, its windows boarded and its roof sagging.Mark met Ortiz at the side entrance. His jacket was torn, and blood darkened one sleeve.Sarah crossed the police line.“Are you hurt?”“A cut. Nothing serious.”“What happened?”“Mercer came through the tunnel.”“Where is he?”“He escaped.”Ortiz approached. “Your husband found a concealed stairway. It leads to the basement.”“And Hal?”“Not here.”Inside, the house smelled of mold and river mud. Mark led them down a stone staircase into a room lined with filing cabinets.The seventh cabinet was empty except for one envelope.Maya opened it.Inside was a birth certificate.Sarah read the name and felt the air disappear.Mark Edward Whitaker.The mother’s name was Claire Vale.For a moment, no one moved.Mark took the paper from Maya’s hand. “That is impossible.”“You were twenty-two when Claire disappeared,” Sarah said.“She was not my mother.”“The certificate says she was.”“My mother died when I was three.”“Perhaps that was the story.”Mark stared at the document. “Hal told me my mother died in a car accident.”Avery stepped into the room. “Then we are related.”Mark shook his head. “No.”“If Claire is my mother and yours, yes.”Sarah looked between them. The necklace, the family photographs, the old promises—everything rearranged itself.“You and Avery are half-siblings?” she asked.“We may be,” Mark said.In the envelope was a second document: a letter from Edward Whitaker to Claire.My son must never know the truth. Hal will use him if he does. Keep Avery away from the family and I will provide for both children through the trust.Sarah read the letter twice.Mark leaned against the cabinet.“My father was Edward’s son,” he said. “Claire was his first wife?”“Or his secret partner,” Maya said.Avery’s voice trembled. “My mother told me Edward was the only Whitaker who tried to help.”“He created the trust,” Mark said. “Hal stole from it.”Footsteps sounded above them.Ortiz signaled the officers.The basement lights went out.Sarah heard a door slam, then the low rush of water.“The tunnel,” Mark said.He grabbed a flashlight and ran toward the back wall.“Stay here,” Sarah called.He ignored her.The officers followed. Sarah remained with Avery and Maya, listening to the house groan.Then Leo’s voice echoed through a hidden speaker.“Mommy?”Sarah’s knees weakened.“That is a recording,” Maya said.“It sounds real.”“It is designed to.”The voice came again. “Mommy, I’m under the stairs.”Sarah moved toward the sound.Maya blocked her. “No.”“What if it isn’t a recording?”“Then Ortiz will find the source.”A panel opened in the wall behind them.Dale Mercer stepped through holding a handgun.He pointed it at the floor, not at them.“Nobody move,” he said.Sarah placed herself in front of Avery.Mercer’s eyes flicked toward her. “You look like your grandmother.”“You knew her?”“I knew what she kept.”“Where is Hal?”“He’s gone.”“Where is my son?”“Safe.”“You brought him here?”Mercer’s expression changed. “No. I would never touch a child.”He lowered the gun.From the tunnel came a burst of shouting.Mercer turned toward it.Maya struck the flashlight from his hand. Ortiz’s officers rushed through the panel and forced him to the ground.Sarah stood trembling while Ortiz handcuffed him.“Where is Leo?” she demanded.Mercer looked at her. “With the woman who knows the piano.”Avery went white.“Claire,” she whispered.From somewhere beneath River House, a music box began to play.
